KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State men's and women's cross country teams has received the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I All-Academic Cross Country status for the 15th time in the last 19 years, it was announced Tuesday.

The Indiana State women received their 18th recognition in the past 19 years with a team grade point average of 3.47. The only year that the Sycamores did not receive the award was in 2004 when they did not compete at the Regional competition.

Drake was the top school in the Missouri Valley Conference, coming in at 27th with a 3.519 grade point average (GPA). Illinois State was 37th with a 3.49 GPA with Indiana State 41st out of the 200 teams honored with a 3.47 GPA. Bradley was 66th with a 3.35 GPA. Butler had the highest GPA among major colleges and universities in Indiana as they were ranked 10th with a 3.612 GPA. Indiana University was 50th with a 3.42 GPA, Purdue 55th with a 3.41 GPA, and IUPUI 88th with a 3.24 GPA.

The Indiana State men received their 15th recognition in the past 19 years with a 3.2 GPA which ranks them 66th out of the 145 institutions honored. Southern Illinois was the top Valley team with the eighth best GPA (3.477) while Drake was 23rd with a 3.386 GPA, Indiana State 66th with a 3.2 GPA, Evansville 70th at 3.181 GPA, and Bradley 77th with a 3.16 GPA. IUPUI had the highest GPA among major colleges and universities in Indiana as they were ranked 53rd with a 3.24 GPA. Indiana State was next followed by Evansville, Purdue in 98th with a 3.06 GPA, and Indiana 101st with a 3.05 GPA.

To be eligible, a team must compete in the regional cross country championships and have a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.